Zygoballus sexpunctatus

Males distinguished from the sympatric Zygoballus rufipes by a large spot of white scales at the beginning of the thoracic slope (absent in Z. rufipes) and by palpal bulb shape. Females best separated by epigyne structure. The six abdominal spots (when present) and enlarged male chelicerae are diagnostic for the species. The box-like cephalothorax shape is characteristic of the genus Zygoballus.

Adults measure 3–4.5 mm in body length; females (3.5–4.5 mm) are slightly larger than males (3–3.5 mm). The cephalothorax and abdomen are bronze to black. The cephalothorax is box-shaped, widest at the posterior lateral eyes. The clypeus and chelicerae are covered with white or pale blue scales that extend around the sides of the carapace. Males have greatly enlarged, obliquely oriented chelicerae with a prominent inner tooth and long curved fang. Legs are reddish brown to yellowish; the anterior femora are darker and enlarged, especially in males. The abdomen has a white basal band and two white transverse bands, often broken into six spots (the source of the specific epithet), though spots may be lacking.

Occurs in grassy herb stratum of old fields, river terrace forests, flatwoods, Florida Sand Pine scrub, Slash Pine forests, Appalachian grass balds, and rice fields. Frequently collected in broomsedge fields of the southeastern Piedmont. Typically found among grasses and short vegetation, accessible by sweep netting.

Southeastern United States, from New Jersey to Florida and west to Texas. Most common in southern states. Documented from North Carolina, Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

Spiderlings hatch in mid-summer, hibernate in immature form through winter, and reach sexual maturity in late April. Adults active primarily spring through summer.

Opportunistic predator of small invertebrates. Prey includes aphids, young caterpillars, mosquitoes, and small spiders.

Egg sacs produce spiderlings in mid-summer. Immature spiders overwinter, with sexual maturity reached the following late April. Presumably annual life cycle with single generation per year, though detailed phenology remains incompletely documented.

Males perform elaborate courtship displays: approach females with first pair of legs raised and spread, vibrating the abdomen. Receptive females may reciprocate with abdominal vibration. Males exhibit ritualized agonistic behavior toward other males, involving similar leg-raising, abdominal vibration, and extension of pedipalps and fangs; lethal combat is rare. Visual signaling appears important in both contexts.

Generalist predator controlling populations of small insects and other arthropods. Serves as prey for mud dauber wasps (Sphecidae), which paralyze spiders as larval food.

No direct economic or medical significance. Subject of behavioral research on jumping spider courtship and agonistic displays. Occasionally encountered by sweep sampling in ecological surveys.

• Zygoballus rufipesOverlapping range; distinguished by absence of white scale spot on thoracic slope in males and different palpal bulb/epigyne structure.
• Other Zygoballus speciesShare box-like cephalothorax; require examination of male cheliceral morphology and genitalic structures for definitive identification.

• jumping spider
• Salticidae
• southeastern USA
• grassland
• sexual dimorphism
• courtship display

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life